Rabindranath Tagore

Introduction

Whereas the names of many Nobel laureates in Literature have been forgotten, Rabindranath Tagore, Asia's first Nobel laureate (1913), remains an important and compelling figure in world literature. Professor Quayum's book, with its collection of nineteen of Tagore's short stories, is a welcome addition to his oeuvre and his legacy.

Primarily known for his poetry, Tagore “was also an actor, playwright, producer, musician, painter, educationist, cultural reformer, philosopher, novelist, short story writer, and a critic of life, politics, art and literature” (Mukhopadhyay et al., 112-132). A polymath, Tagore had this to say about himself: “To tell you the truth, I do not quite know what my real vocation is or should be. I am very much in the position of a young woman who, in the pride of her youth, is unwilling to part with any of her suitors” (Mukhopadhyay et al., 112-132). I smile whenever I read that, because my graduate advisor at the University of Illinois told me I was “too eclectic.” To me, having broad interests is just the way I am. It's no wonder that Tagore had such great appeal to me when I first read him as a college sophomore back in 1954. Tagore's views on social justice, spirituality, respect for women, children and all people are both compelling and relevant to the global village reality of the twenty first century.

Discussion

Modern age is considered to be the age of feminism. The women in the modern period have crossed the barriers of society. They have proved their equality to their male counterparts. The modern women are not Feminism is a kind of revolt of women against social conventions. Feminine consciousness is, of course, consciousness of females for equality with males.

An attempt has been made to focus on the feminism reflected in Tagore's “The Conclusion” and “The Punishment” in this paper. In good olden days, a woman was considered as sub ordinate and parasite. She was not independent to lead her life. The rights of woman were completely neglected. Rabindranath Tagore has brought out his women out of the kitchen and placed them in the active stream of life (Mandal, 32-56).

Feminism in Rabindranath Tagore challenges the traditional view of woman as the weaker sex. Tagore's Chitra is as strong as man. She is expert in riding, hunting, duel and war. She is a type of terror for the evildoers in the state. She had ambition to challenge Arjuna in single combat.

When Arjuna in the forest rejects her, she does not go home weeping. She tries to show her strength and power by gaining perfect beauty from Madana. She seeks revenge against her insult of rejection by making him to surrender before her borrowed beauty. Chitra lived in a good olden days but she had a sense of feminism as a modern lady (Mukhopadhyay et al., 112-132).

She proved her equality. She equaled herself with her ancestors who made penance for child. Srimati in "NatirPuja" makes supreme sacrifice which is dazzling one. She has equaled herself ...